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! NOTE - excludes the usual blizzard of craft under 100 tons
!! = The abbreviation KNM - Kongelige Norske Marine = Royal Norwegian Navy

USA : Constellation UK : Type 26 FR : FDI ES : F-126 The Norwegian Ministry of Defencey announced 19 November 2024 its intention to invite the French, German, British and US governments to begin discussions regarding a potential strategic partnership for deliveries of new frigates to replace the Royal Norwegian Navy's current Fridtjof Nansen-class. 'The new frigates represent the largest acquisition planned for the Norwegian Armed Forces in the coming years. Norway is an important maritime nation in NATO, and through this and other maritime investments we will be strengthening both national and allied security', said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Mr. Bjørn Arild Gram. Towards the end of the 2022-2029 medium-term period, the Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates will undergo a technical update to ensure continuation of the vessels' operational capability. This work will include a large number of systems on-board. Critical safety updates may be initiated earlier. The Nansen-class of frigates represents a vital part of the Norwegian naval capability. The vessels are approaching a need of a mid-life update. The objective of the update project is to identify and carry out necessary upgrades to ensure that the operational capability remains relevant. The project scope is not yet detailed, but will include replacement of subsystems due to technical lifetime or obsolescence issues and upgrades necessary to maintain operational relevance as operational requirements evolves. In June 2024 the Norwegian Parliament passed the new Long-Term Plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces for 2025-2036, which calls for the acquisition of a minimum of five, optionally six new anti-submarine frigates with embarked anti-submarine helicopters. The Norwegian Long-Term Defence Plan outlines the continuous development of the Norwegian Defence Sector with respect to organisation, infrastructure (garrisons and bases), personnel (numbers, composition and qualifications) and materiel (existing equipment and new acquisitions). The Government outlines a direction towards a more capable and sustainable defence force better able to face future challenges and the changing security environment. Maritime operations in Norway’s neighbouring regions require vessels that are highly capable and are able to operate in challenging weather conditions. To enable Norway and its allies to secure defence capabilities and receive allied reinforcements along the coast, while at the same time participating in maritime operations, the Chief of Defence recommends that a minimum of four and preferably six new frigates be procured. This type of vessel is in great demand by NATO and is capable of making a relevant contribution to the Alliance as regards operations beyond the shores of Norway. It would be inadvisable to procure fewer than four, as doing so would result in insufficient operational availability for the execution of missions. Six frigates would almost double the operational availability, enabling the Armed Forces to carry out several missions simultaneously. The number of frigates must be viewed in the context of the procurement of the ocean-going standard vessels described later in this report. The existing frigates will be phased out and replaced by new ones. The frigates must be equipped with helicopters for the detection and engagement of submarines, or alternatively unmanned systems if the technology is sufficiently mature by the time the frigates are introduced. The combination of frigates, helicopters and/or unmanned systems makes it possible to engage submarines before the frigate comes within range of the submarine's torpedoes. The frigates must also be able to engage threats both in the air and on the surface. The capability to conduct anti-submarine operations will require further investment in complementary capabilities such as satellite surveillance, stationary sensor systems, maritime patrol aircraft and submarines, in addition to sensors and weapon systems based on surface vessels. "The most expensive single investment in the long-term plan is the purchase of at least five new frigates with anti-submarine helicopters. This is a very important investment to safeguard Norway's significant maritime interests. The frigates will be acquired, operated and maintained in a strategic partnership with a close ally that has overlapping strategic interests in our immediate areas,"" said Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp). The government is preparing for a quick decision on the choice of a strategic partner. Such cooperation reduces the disadvantages of being the sole user of an advanced, high-tech combat system. The frigates must be able to sail and operate continuously throughout Norway's area of interest. "Having control over what happens in our sea areas is perhaps Norway's most important task in NATO. It is crucial for the Norwegian Armed Forces' mission that the frigates can carry out anti-submarine operations. As part of the procurement, the government will also acquire helicopters with anti-submarine capacity that can operate together with the frigates", said the defense minister. The Plan stresses that the new frigates are not to be procured as stand-alone vessels, but through a long-term and mutually beneficial strategic partnership with a close ally with strategic interests closely aligned with those of Norway. This strategic partnership is to include joint acquisition, operation, maintenance, continuous development and upgrades of the new frigates throughout their service life. To limit the need for upgrades of the Fridtjof Nansen-class, Norway is also looking to accelerate the acquisition by joining an existing production line for such vessels. 'Solid and predictable cooperation on both security and defence policy will be at the heart of the strategic partnership that we envision, which will include everything from force generation to operations and joint development of new capabilities. It is therefore essential that we and our partners have the same long-term interests', said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Mr. Bjørn Arlid Gram. The Norwegian Government intends to make its final decision on a future strategic partner during 2025. In the coming selection process, the Minister of Defence stresses the importance of identifying potential industrial opportunities. 'The Norwegian Government's goal is that our planned maritime investments should help generate jobs and opportunities throughout the country. A key consideration will therefore be the ability for Norwegian technology and industry to contribute to the development and sustainment of both our own future frigates and those of our chosen strategic partner' said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Mr. Bjørn Arild Gram.

Standard Vessels / Standardfartøy

In June 2024 the Norwegian Parliament passed the new Long-Term Plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces for 2025-2036. The Norwegian Government asked the Chief of Defence to submit Military Advice by 31 May 2023. The Government received the advice in May, and the advice was made public on 7 June 2023. "The Norwegian Defense Forces will develop a standardized vessel class in two sizes - a large, ocean-going version and a smaller, coastal version. The Norwegian Armed Forces currently have a fleet made up of twelve vessel classes, which makes operation and maintenance resource-intensive. A more standardized fleet with similar systems will help to streamline training and support, reduce the need for spare parts and contribute to more efficient operation of the vessels. The vessels will be developed to solve both the Coast Guard's and the Navy's tasks," said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Mr. Bjørn Arild Gram. The standardized vessels are to be equipped with module-based weapons and sensors that can be adapted to different tasks. Among other things, the Navy's vessels must be able to be used as a platform for situational awareness, minelaying, mine clearance, maritime force protection and monitoring of underwater infrastructure. The Coast Guard's standardized vessels must be adapted to the Coast Guard's important tasks in support of civil society, which include, among other things, fisheries supervision and search and rescue. The Norwegian Armed Forces made a "Request for Concept Proposals" which says a lot about what they are looking for. They write that the standard vessels can consist of several types of vessels, as it is unlikely that one type of ship can satisfy all the requirements. Both Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace and the shipyard group Vard have come forward with their solutions to the request. Kongsberg with its Vanguard concept (see video below) and Vard with its Resilience concept. The Chief of Defence recommended that the surface structure of the Navy be built around large and small standard vessels. These vessels should be based on tailored civilian standards, as this approach would streamline both operation and support throughout their lifetime and enable the phasing in of more environmentally friendly propulsion methods. The Chief of Defence recommends the procurement of up to four large standard vessels and up to 16 smaller standard vessels with modular weapons and sensor systems. The standard vessels will complement the frigates, but will not be able to replace them. They will also contribute to the cost-effective supply of quantity for the execution of maritime warfare. The number of frigates and large standard vessels must be seen as a whole to ensure sufficient capability in order to maintain a presence in the maritime domain, both nationally and in an allied context. The standard vessels must have the capability to interact in modern joint operations and must be capable of being equipped with anti-surface capabilities and self-protection against air threats. The large standard vessels must have blue water capabilities and the capacity to carry large modular solutions. Depending on their size, the vessels should have a limited ability to participate in anti-submarine operations and be capable of being used as a platform for minelaying, mine clearance and maritime security operations, including force protection in Norwegian territorial waters. The Chief of Defence recommends to eventually replace the Coast Guard the vessels that do not carry helicopters with a combination of large and smaller standard vessels. The Coast Guard's standard vessels are equipped for Coast Guard operations on a daily basis, but must be able to be equipped with modular systems as and when necessary. It is recommended that the Coast Guard's helicopter-carrying vessels and KNM Maud be continued without alteration. The vessels must be able to operate and handle various unmanned and autonomous surface and underwater vessels for mine clearance operations. In the Norwegian Defense Forces' Request for Concept Proposals, it stated that the vessel must be able to take two unmanned surface vessels of at least 21 meters and 50 tonnes. They are large unmanned systems and require a large mother craft. The vessel must also be able to take at least two autonomous underwater vehicles. There are also requirements for facilities for mine divers, storage and handling of mines and more. "The vessels must be designed to be able to keep up with technological developments and provide the opportunity for rapid utilization and application of new technological solutions that become available during the vessels' lifetime. The vessels must be prepared for the phasing out of fossil fuel during the vessels' lifetime. There are significant climate benefits to be gained from the development and operation of the Norwegian Navy's vessels in the future," said Gram. As of 2024, the Norwegian Armed Forces' fleet consisted of 12 vessel classes. This made operation and maintenance resource-intensive. One of the advantages of a standardised fleet is that the vessels have similar systems that "will help streamline training and support, reduce the need for spare parts and contribute to more efficient operation of the vessels". Technology is developing rapidly, and it will be important to design vessels that have the opportunity for rapid utilisation and application of technological solutions that are made available over the vessel's lifetime. This includes, among other things, that the vessels must be adapted for phasing out fossil fuels. The two standardized vessel classes will solve the Navy's and the Coast Guard's missions. For the Navy, this means, among other things, that they will be used "as a platform for situational awareness, mine-laying, mine clearance, maritime force protection and surveillance of subsea infrastructure". For the Coast Guard, the vessels will be adapted so that they can be used in operations "in support of civil society, which includes fisheries surveillance and search and rescue". The vessels have an area of use and an operating profile that makes it possible to make extensive use of civilian standards and solutions. Cost reductions, a lower risk of obsolescence and commercially available maintenance expertise are identified as positive consequences. Modernisation of the maritime maintenance concept in line with the idea that vessels should be as civilian as possible and as military as necessary will help to keep costs down and ensure operational availability. A standard vessel class is also well-suited to the adoption of innovations within the Norwegian maritime industry, including more environmentally friendly propulsion systems that both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are potentially quieter. Standard vessels must be capable of being equipped with modular sensors and weapon solutions as required. The ability to carry out missions is thus not limited to the design of the vessel itself. The standard vessels complement and support warfare capabilities in the maritime domain with distributed sensors and effectors. All standard vessels must have the capability to interact in modern joint operations and must be capable of being equipped with anti-surface capabilities and self-protection against air threats. The difference between the large and small standard vessels is that the large vessels have ocean-going characteristics and the capacity to carry large modular solutions. Depending on their size, the vessels must have a limited ability to participate in anti-submarine operations and could be used as a platform for minelaying, mine clearance and maritime security operations/force protection. It was assumed that the hulls of all 28 vessels will be built abroad. Norwegian players would supply large parts of the design, equipment (civilian and military), as well as maintenance. The indication price for building a standardised vessel class made a distinction between vessel type and type of equipment (civilian (based on DNV-classified vessels) and military). The large vessel had an indication price between NOK 1.8 and 4.8 billion norske 2024-kroner [US$162,000,000 to US$433,000,000]. This is significantly larger than the medium-sized vessel, where the indication price was between NOK 1.1 and 2 billion norske 2024-kroner [US$100,000,000 to US$190,000,000]. An important part of the Long-Term Plan is a national shipbuilding strategy with the aim of developing national expertise in designing, equipping and maintaining marine vessels. An important competence requirement that will apply to relevant Norwegian shipyards is competence in military standards and requirements. The construction of a standardised class of vessel, both for the Norwegian Armed Forces and for the defence of other countries, will lay the foundation for value creation and employment effects along the entire Norwegian coast. On this basis, Menon Ecoonomics was commissioned by NHO, the Federation of Norwegian Industries, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Maritime Forum (hereinafter referred to as the client) to prepare an analysis that sheds light on the potential ripple effects, both for the civilian maritime industry and for the defence industry, of building the 28 standard vessels in Norway. The construction period follows the Long-Term Plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces, 2025-2036, while the maintenance period is 30 years from the vessel being launched. The total value creation effects are up to NOK 85 billion (around 1/3 comes from construction, while the rest comes from maintenance) and 56,000 man-years. The employment effects spread along the entire Norwegian coast, with the largest effects accruing to Vestfold, Møre and Romsdal and Rogaland. Construction of a standardized vessel class for the Norwegian defense at Norwegian shipyards can lead to export opportunities. To illustrate how large these effects can be, we have taken as a starting point three different scenarios for the number of vessels that are exported. The middle scenario, export of 20 standard vessels, could lead to a further NOK 39 billion in value creation and 28 thousand man-years. In extension of the export possibilities, Menon also investigated whether the construction of these vessels in Norway can become an accelerator for climate-friendly technology in the maritime sector. In June 2024 the Norwegian Parliament passed the new Long-Term Plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces for 2025-2036. "The long-term plan involves a historic investment in air defence. The defense must have the ability to protect Norway against attacks on military and civilian targets, and must prioritize the ability to protect important military and civilian infrastructure against attacks from cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and unmanned systems," said Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp). The Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is the core of the Norwegian Armed Forces' ground-based air defence. Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA) is the sole supplier. The system consists of sensors, launch units and command and control (K2) that interact in a network internally within a battery and together with other batteries when necessary. The weapon system is modular and a battery normally consists of several major NASAMS components. The system's sensors and effectors make it a medium-range air defense that covers the "short range" (SR) and "medium range" (MR) air layers and is particularly suitable against threats such as cruise missiles and fighter jets. The launchers to be built with the components being acquired are also called Canister Launcher Mk2 and can combine three missile types at the same time, respectively AIM-120 AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER and AIM-9X Sidewinder. The government is buying long-range air defenses that will protect Norway against short-range ballistic missiles. In addition, the amount of the existing NASAMS air defense is doubled and it will be improved to better protect against drones and missiles. Air defense systems donated to Ukraine are to be replaced. Both the Air Force and the Army are getting more systems and the current air defense systems are to be updated. The development in the direction of more modern long-range weapons, missiles and the use of unmanned systems requires us to improve our defense capabilities against threats from the air. Investing in ground-based air defense is therefore a key part of the government's defense drive. The ability to understand the situation and the ability to inflict losses on an adversary in airspace must be significantly strengthened. Today there are anti-aircraft battalions on Ørlandet and Evenes. Here, endurance is to be strengthened by increasing staffing and the level of practice. The Air Force currently has three NASAMS air defense batteries and the Army has one based on the same system. To increase protection against threats from the air, the government proposes to provide four new NASAMS battery systems for the Air Force and the Army. New radars will also be acquired for the NASAMS system, in line with what has been previously agreed. "The Norwegian-developed NASAMS system has proven to be effective, and absolutely crucial in Ukraine. Norway will take a leading role in developing defense technology within air defense systems and missiles. It involves both innovation investment and industrial collaboration, and will be seen in the light of other research and development in the defense sector,"" says Gram. The long-range air defense will have the ability to protect a geographical area against ballistic missiles. The further acquisition process of long-range air defense will determine how and when such a system can be acquired and when the Norwegian Armed Forces have built up sufficient expertise to put the system into operational use. On 28 June 2024 Defense material entered into a new contract with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA) for the procurement of NASAMS air defense for up to NOK 4.8 billion. The acquisitions will strengthen Norway's defense against air attacks, replace material donated to Ukraine and facilitate future donations. "Air defense is important for the defense of both Norway and Ukraine. Now we are increasing the volume and upgrading the existing NASAMS system with modern equipment that can shoot down various targets. Today's security policy situation dictates that we must give up the development of air defense and the upgrading of NASAMS. This agreement ensures rapid delivery to the Norwegian Armed Forces and contributes to increasing production capacity in the defense industry," said Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp). The contract is a major expansion of a NASAMS agreement Defense Material and KDA entered into earlier this year . Provided that the option is triggered, Defense Material will thus have entered into contracts for deliveries of NASAMS material to four anti-aircraft batteries within just one year. "Significant measures are now being taken to secure national interests by giving the Armed Forces access to more and modern air defense as quickly as possible. This is, among other things, thanks to the close and good cooperation between us and Kongsberg and the defense sector in general," said director Gro Jære in Forsvarsmateriel. By pre-ordering long lead time components included in NASAMS launch units, future re-access and modern air defenses are quickly ensured. These are components that can be delivered from 2027. In addition to ensuring rapid delivery to the Armed Forces, this also helps to strengthen production capacity in the defense industry through increased predictability and long-term contracts. KDA has invested in expanding its own production capacity and at the same time strengthened ties with the many Norwegian and international suppliers who contribute to ensuring international preparedness. "A state-of-the-art air defense system is strategically important for Norway's defense capability and is crucial for safeguarding our national security interests. This delivery will give Norway the latest generation of NASAMS, developed to meet current and future threats,"" said Eirik Lie, CEO of Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. In the long-term plan for the defense sector (LTP), which was unanimously adopted by the Storting, plans are made to double the number of anti-aircraft batteries in order to be able to protect several places in the country against air threats at the same time. With the agreement, a good basis is secured for faster upgrading of NASAMS and implementation of the planned development of the air defense structure. "This is a historic investment in air defence. In addition to the doubling of NASAMS, we agree with the Storting to acquire two long-range air defense systems against ballistic missiles, one of which will protect the central eastern region, including Oslo. Norway will continue to take a leading role in developing defense technology within air defense systems and missiles,"" said Gram.